Regardles of your team alegiences, this roster was clearly less that the best Team USA could have put forth.

Some re-thinking amoung who erts to selectins probably indicated. For example, Poile focuses on D, and his team struggles to score.

]]>By: endusersolutions2013http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267871
Wed, 08 Jan 2014 07:22:36 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267871While, I’m a pretty well known Hawks fan, when I look at the D men there, I can’t speak too negatively about their not selecting B Seabrook, looking at wh they’d have to not take. Judgement call, Keith was a given. For perhaps every other team, he’d be on the 1st or 2nd pair, playing nightly (well, perhaps not Team USA with the pair Bylsma lobbying for due to his familiarity with them)

Actually I think it’s best for the Hawks anyway, as last year, he was fading down the stretch due to all the minutes he played. Getting some rest and coming back with an attitude is probably a good thing. Still think Saad would have been a better pick that Dustin Brown (not just points, but overall ability. 2 1/2 x better shooting % to boot.

]]>By: chanceoffleuryhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267722
Wed, 08 Jan 2014 00:00:43 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267722I feel very differently. Malkin is a superb skater and very fast, and Neal is usually with him or ahead of him on the breakaway. Floating sort of insinuates a lollygagging sort of purpose on the ice. Watching Neal and Malkin work on the ice I have a hard time describing anything they do as slow.
]]>By: joey4idhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267694
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 22:59:20 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267694You may be right. Carter may not even dress. The point is Carter is not in the top 6 and problem at the bottom of the remaining 8th.
]]>By: lowennihttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267688
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 22:56:07 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267688Carter is definitely not an ideal bottom-6 player because he doesn’t play great defense and he doesn’t hit. I don’t see him fitting on a two-way line with Bergeron and Marleau. Benn is a solid body and could work there, however. I agree that there might not be space for Giroux, but that doesn’t mean there should be for Carter.
]]>By: elvispocomohttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267658
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 22:10:50 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267658Fair enough, but it is more of a massive media event here so I think it took on a life of it’s own for presentation’s sake. It was still overkill for almost anyone watching – even us Canadians.
]]>By: mucklefluggahttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267649
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 21:57:08 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267649i think canada is icing a quality fourth place finisher in sochi…maybe…

might be worse…seeding saved us a look into the medal round…the americans can only hope for divine intervention [ read nbc ]

as some wag correctly stated, canada assembles ‘fantasy’ teams…russia and sweden will be feeding us our lunch on olympic-sized ice with ‘hockey’ teams…their fundamental training, enriching higher level skill sets and two-way disciplined play, particularly on special teams, is profoundly better than ours…

russia and sweden are more capable of bringing a diverse assemblage because their hockey culture is itself, founded on common principles of speed and finesse, nation wide

brent sutter nailed it on the head…we’re not adapting to change as it relates to emergence of the well-rounded speed and skill hockey being developed over there…cherry’s position betrays our fundamental flaws; arrogance, conceit and will to maintain a status quo against progressive change…frankly, we’re starting to look out of touch and backward…

over here we continue to pander to nhl marketing requirements in player development…size and muscle to dominate speed and finesse on crowded smaller ice…then we bring that product to europe where the nhl game is irrelevant, hoping for success

had sochi selections been my choice, my first criterion would have been the extent of in-game experience on olympic ice that candidates bring, involving proven capacity for spatial reasoning as it relates to position on ice:

attacking and defending angles on wider and longer ice, deflection angles off boards and off goalies, space behind goal lines, corners with larger radii, and in-arena sound dynamics; elements largely alien to those who’ve played the game on north american ice most of their lives

pray you don’t hook a team populated with quality european players accustomed to big ice and arena dynamics, players for which there’s no known book, in the first few games of consequence or you’ll be a spectator soon enough

second criterion:

two-way speed; to commit flat-out on the rush then commit flat-out in recovery on the back-check…stamina and anaerobic capacity is everything on olympic ice…ability to change on-the-fly through rushes either way is critical…getting pinned in one’s own end while tired is suicide with massive space to move against fixed defensive boxing…

long changes in second periods will decide every game between contenders

addition of youth and young legs to teams will prove critical in the end game…leaving a healthy couture, giroux and hall out of the mix will prove lamentable…large open ice where size and brutality as controlling agents are of little consequence, makes these guys superstars in international play…each snipers tailored for space to do their thing in the offensive zone

with a likely-minded and gifted toews, they’d have been unstoppable

russia’s move to youth will by itself, demonstrate our deficiencies in that regard

goalies unaccustomed to big ice are most vulnerable…defensive sets, angles, and behind net play will be vexing to the uninitiated…flopping and sprawling goalies like luongo and smith are fish for dinner in a milieu where laser-like wrist shots and backhands reign supreme…roof daddy all day long…bring the octinoxate in quart bottles…a healthy brodeur was the man…

and, players presently active in europe will wear north-american teams ragged with harrying speed; ego and accomplishment on small ice mean nothing against relentless close-quarter checking on big ice…crosby will be tested and likely rendered neuter by players you’ve never heard of, commissioned to smother his every move…there will be tears…worried panels and long faces…a big run on flat panels post olympics

the fact of the matter is, crosby has never demonstrated the character and resolve to overcome blanketing purposeful coverage…that play brings-out the trembling lower lip and me me me complex every time

before awarding gold and silver to canada and the u.s., big on ink, egos and self-importance, watch how darlings of the hockey-hype machine over here deal with relentless checking over there

third criterion:

quick afoot in tight and nifty puck handlers generally, suited to odd-man play on rushes or on special teams…defensemen with these attributes, over size, are highly desired

and, large puck controlling forwards capable of fending checks on the offensive boards and behind the net where space makes them massive threats, buying time for snipers to roll into space and striking lanes for pinpoint feeds are a must…

rick nash is a superb addition to this purpose…joe thornton, an egregious omission jumbo in proportion, as is joe pavelski or couture in concert with thornton…leave thornton off team canada, look for a berth in the consolation rounds while russia laughs behind their hands…

no one in the game is a better passer than joe thornton under mauling defensive attack

fourth criterion:

forget the big shots the cannons the howitzers…everyone can bring-it with carbon fibre…tailing-off in north america is use of the laser-like wrist shot and snap-shot…the backhand is reaching obsolescence…not in europe where wrist shots and backhand shots enjoy renaissance against over-sized goalies, equipment and flopping play

bring players who can get quick but deadly shots off from the lanes and low angle corners…use the backhand for sweeping around scrambled net play…think mike bossy mickey redmond pavel datsyuk by way of model

final criterion:

a team of shrinks, experts at motivation…

capable of preparing and arming players for hate and abuse to come –canada is despised in international hockey for its inability to respond to superior skill with nothing more than brutality…earplugs for constant whistling derision will be de rigueur…

capable of regrouping mind-sets smug and comfortable after pounding some hapless olympic throw-in like norway and austria, by twelve goals, then subsequently facing some hard-assed team from the balkans who shave with broken glass and cold water…because they like it…

and capable of reassembling shattered egos long bloated by superfluous man-love and slavish devotion from network spawned hockey-hype…recovery from debilitating loss in time to mount a unified and fresh attack will require soothing words…what player on canada can rally a trailing team when nhl nurtured jealousies haunt their souls…?

nope, we’re in tough so i’m hedging…

go russia, go sweden…pure game

pure gold

]]>By: valoisvipershttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267638
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 21:38:10 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267638Forgot to point out that Kunitz also posted good numbers when Sid was broken for long periods of time. So give the guy his just dues.
]]>By: valoisvipershttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267636
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 21:35:54 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267636In between playing with Getzlaf and Crosby, Kunitz played with Malkin and was putting up point a game numbers with him.
]]>By: joey4idhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267635
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 21:35:18 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267635capsfan14, I’m not taking anything away from Skinner. But! Why would you want to break up one of the most effective duos of the league?
]]>By: valoisvipershttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267631
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 21:29:17 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267631Hi Joey, I know the committee has more hockey knowledge than us average bears and I’m sure they spent a lot of time and research into the picks and scrutinizing each choice. That being said and being a couch potato Monday morning QB, I would rather have James Neal than Jeff Carter,both are snipers but Neal works like a dog and has played with Crosby and Kunitz. I believe they went with Nash because of his history but I feel that the years have taken it’s toll on him. I’m not sure what role they plan on playing him in so I won’t offer a replacement player for him but said player would be a dam good skater that plays both ways. As for my pet peeve Subban, I wouldn’t have selected him because I don’t trust him to act in the proper manner of a player representing our country. I would replace him with our local boy Kris Letang. Yes I know he is not yet having a great year but the guy skates like the wind and can carry the mail. Use him wisely and he would be a great asset to the team.Cheers
]]>By: capsfan14http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267607
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 21:03:20 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267607Joey4id, Jeff Skinner’s game translates beautifuly to the larger ice surfaces. You’re right, it’s not an all star team, but adding Jeff wouldn’t make it one either. Taking out Kunitz, who largley depends on Crosby, and adding a guy who has shown in the past that the bigger ice is an advantage to his game wouldn’t be a bad idea.
]]>By: matt14gghttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267604
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 20:59:14 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267604I’m a Bruins fan, and also a USA fan, so I don’t really care if Canada wins or not. I can’t stand Subban, but if you don’t think Subban belongs on this team I’d suggest you don’t really follow the game, you just don’t like Subban (which I get), or you’re not really familiar with the Olympic format. Whatever else you think of him he’s fast, he’s skilled and he can shoot the SH– out of the puck. The Olympics is going to be about offense and you need as many offensive players as you can get, which is why it’s ridiculous that Paul Martin and Brooks Orpik made the US team. Canada has a nice team (albeit with some questionable omissions). Team USA on the other hand sucks (Blake Wheeler over Bobby Ryan is criminal) and has no chance.
]]>By: matt14gghttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267588
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 20:47:51 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267588Was that a comment or a haiku?
]]>By: jpelle82http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267532
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 20:06:06 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267532wheeler looked good against pittsburgh, though i think all the jets except buff did the other day.
]]>By: joey4idhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267513
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:50:31 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267513Where would you put Giroux?

]]>By: joey4idhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267508
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:46:49 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267508atwatercrushesokoye, Hmmm! I don’t believe they build a team for to win the grinding 7 game series of the Stanley Cup playoffs. I believe creating duos like Crosby/Kunitz, Getzlaf/Perry and Toews/Sharp are no brainers to start. Here’s a stab at the top six and bottom six forwards. I just don’t see where Giroux would fit in here, or Joe Thornton for that matter. Can either of these guys be in the top 6? Top 9? Would they accept a secondary role more than Carter, Bergeron for example? idk I like the chemistry assuming they leave the duos together and add a player who can complement the duos.

Left shot=LS
Right shot=RS

Duchesne LS Crosby LS Kunitz LS
Sharp RS Toews C-L Stamkos RS

Nash LS Getzlaf RS Perry RS
Marleau LS Bergeron RS Carter RS

Jamie Benn LS, John Tavares LS

]]>By: micasa81http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267506
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:45:55 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267506Seabrook should be there – this coming from a Canucks fan. I don’t think he gets enough credit for Chicago’s defense because he doesn’t match Keith’s numbers. I would replace Vlasic before Hamhuis, but then, that might just be my bias too.
]]>By: Tylerhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267498
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:42:39 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267498So he’s a Canadian version of Ovechkin?
]]>By: joey4idhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267475
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:19:36 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267475Hmmm! I’m not sure Subban will be dressed in the medal rounds if everyone is healthy. Knowing how Subban is I have no doubt is going to push hard during practices. There is pretty good talent on the right side….

Left
Jay Bouwmeester
Dan Hamhuis
Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Duncan Keith

Right
Drew Doughty
Alex Pietrangelo
P.K. Subban
Shea Weber

]]>By: joey4idhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267472
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:15:25 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267472Hmmm! idk, but the good thing is that the can change the roster on Jan 25th. Depending on the rehab he may or may not be on the roster when the Olympics open.
]]>By: atwatercrushesokoyehttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267471
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:15:00 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267471Joey: here’s the problem I have with that, Canada built a team to win the grinding 7 game series of the Stanley Cup playoffs, not a team to win a series of win or go home games.

Pick the best players and let them play, I’d rather have the 6th best centre playing on the wing than the 4th best left winger who’s not nearly as good of a player. I think they over thought this and decided to take players for all situations (penalty kill guys, power play specialists, checking line players) when the reality is the best players can do all of those roles, just because they’re not asked to kill penalties or playing on a checking line with their NHL teams doesn’t mean they can’t.

I hope I’m wrong, I’ll certainly be cheering them (even the captain who I can’t stand) but I fear that they over thought it and tried to get too cute like they did in 2006 by taking the grind line.

]]>By: joey4idhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267469
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:14:02 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267469Pretty sure doesn’t cut it. Kunitz already has the good chemistry with Crosby, so it makes perfect sense for him to be there instead of Neal.
]]>By: joey4idhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267467
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:12:12 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267467Are you crazy? Shocked to see Sharp…… The others I get…. but Sharp… What have you bee watching?

Kunitz is having a great year next to Sid. Expect to see him next to Sid in Sochi. Still shocked? Then you don’t get it.

Carter is excellent for your bottom 6. He’ll be ok with playing less minutes. Still shocked?

Nash has always played well in international games partly because of his speed, size, and puck handling abilities. He’s one of those players who can benefit a great deal from the larger ice surfaces.

If you’re still shocked, then you’re just stubborn.

]]>By: jb8588http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267466
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:12:05 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267466Yeak Kunitz did assist in winning a cup in Anaheim, but before he reached Pittsburgh he wasn’t close to a point per game player that he is now. Before he got lined up with Sid, he never would of been brought in the discussion for an Olympic team. Then suddenly he’s lined up with Sid and he’s pointing up a bunch of points. Exactly why somebody like Alexei Kovalev’s best years by far were playing alongside Mario…it’s not much different.
]]>By: joey4idhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267463
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:08:28 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267463I don’t agree with you. There is no room room for Giroux on this team because he can’t be playing on the top 6. Period! Carter will be able to play no problem on the bottom six because he will adjust to playing less minutes. Not good to put a guy like Giroux in your bottom six. He won’t like playing less than he does in Philly. Carter is the perfect type of player to be in your bottom six. This is not an all star team. Big difference!
]]>By: joey4idhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267461
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:05:14 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267461brockohol, yep! You get it!
]]>By: joey4idhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267460
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:04:29 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267460Exactly! And that’s a good enough reason. It’s about having the chemistry needed to click right away. Good observation, fellow.
]]>By: joey4idhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267459
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:03:19 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267459Agreed! One of my favorites only because he and Crosby have great synergy playing together and I think they can carry that with them in the Olympics.
]]>By: joey4idhttp://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/01/07/here-is-your-2014-canada-mens-olympic-roster/comment-page-1/#comment-267455
Tue, 07 Jan 2014 19:02:02 +0000http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2311145#comment-267455Here’s my take on these choices; Subban: (I know you don’t like him… :-) ) Babcock wants 4 right and 4 left handed d men, which he has now. One could argue that they could have chosen Seabrook over Subban, but when it comes down to these two Subban is not a bad choice. I think this one is a wash.

I believe Carter is the type of player who may get less ice time than he usually gets with the Kings, and he can be efficient in this role. Some players like Giroux for example would not be very efficient if playing in the bottom 6.

Nash: Interesting, but not totally surprising given his success in international hockey.

Again, if it was an all star team then there would be less margin for errors. This team is also about having the right chemistry and components to fit into the system Babcock will be implementing. Synergy is more important than when selecting an all star team. There is more margin for error and more individual soft attributes to consider when selecting a team to go for gold. I hope eveyone on this team can spell intense. :-) Mr. Burke, what do you think?